Tamil National Alliance parliamentarian M A Sumanthiran paid tribute to the LTTE’s Captain Pandithar at the fighter's family home this morning, as part of events leading up to Maaveerar Naal this week.
The lawmaker went to the home of Captain Pandithar's mother in Valvettithurai, where he lit a lamp to commemorate the fallen cadre, who was martyred in 1985.
His visit comes after Captain Pandithar's mother called on Sri Lankan authorities to allow the Tamil people to be allowed to commemorate those who gave their lives in the liberation struggle.
Sri Lankan authorities, however, have continued in their to intimidate and obstruct Tamils who have attempted to begin preparations for Maaveerar Naal on November 27th. Petitions have been filed by Sri Lankan police citing the Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA) as the reason to prohibit the Maaveerar Naal commemorations between 25th to 27th November in Jaffna. More than 20 lawyers, including Sumanthiran, were present at the hearing to oppose the petitions.
Police officers from Point Pedro, Valvettithurai, Nelliady and Kankesanthurai made the requests to Point Pedro and Mallakam court in an effort to thwart remembrance events in the areas.
